Award Nominee

Since 1991 Cambridge Tree Trust has developed and planted walkways and reserves in Cambridge. All projects have involved the removal of pest plants and their continued removal.

The Lola Silcock Park development is a superb example of a weed infested area that is in year 4 of development. The area was bulldozed to remove pest trees and rubbish and the area sprayed regularly to kill weeds. Planting areas have been heavily mulched with leaf mould and wood chip prior to planting. Correction Department workers have assisted with this task under the supervision of Brian Mayo of CTT. Planted areas are regularly hand weeded by CTT volunteers.

As more areas are developed there is an increase in the pest control workload. Fortunately we have a number of new volunteers and this helps to maintain areas. In summer months, when CTT are not planting, teams of volunteers go out to hand weed or spray specific places. Often this is on sloping terrain. With persistence, the growth of weeds is controlled.

In the development of some large areas where mulch was not available, carpet squares were used. This is not the preferred method, not is it aesthetically pleasing, but it serves a purpose until plants are established. Once plants have grown, the shade they produce inhibits weed growth.

Waipa District Council is kept informed of projects and they supply some of the herbicide. Additional supplies are purchased with grant money.

CTT volunteer numbers are augmented on Tuesdays by 3 or 4 support unit students from Cambridge High School. On occasions we have other school students assisting.

For more details of CTT efforts, please refer to the website: www.treetrust.org.nz.